ADVENTURES IN READING

The emphasis was placed on fun when the Cape Girardeau Public Library held a carnival to kick-off its summer calendar of activities Saturday.

Each year the library plans a calendar full of kid-oriented events, said Betty Martin, director of youth services. The carnival is held as a fun way to inform the public of what activities will be offered, she said.

"We figure at the library that summers are devoted to the children," she said. "We want to show them that reading is fun and get them comfortable with the library. The kick-off carnival is a good way do that and to tell them about our summer events, especially the summer reading program."

Martin said the library's summer activities are well-attended by children each year. Crafts classes are always filled to capacity, she said, but the Summer Reading Club receives the best participation.

More than 1,200 children preschool through high school registered for the program last year. The program, emphasizes reading by providing incentives in the form of food coupons and chances at major prizes.

Martin said the program has changed somewhat this year to provide more incentives for older grade school reading. In previous years, children received incentives based on the number of books the read, she said. However, beginning this year, more emphasis will be placed on the length of time that reading occurs.

"It takes older children longer to read chapter books, which means they may not receive as many incentives," she said. "By shifting the focus to the length of time spent reading, everyone gets rewarded equally for their efforts."

This year the program runs from May 30 to Aug. 1. Registered children sign up to read or listen to books for a minimum of 480 minutes, or eight hours. For every 90 minutes spent reading or having a book read to them, children will receive a coupon from a local restaurant.

When they reach their goal of 480 minutes, they receive a certificate, a free paperback book to take home and keep, and a chance to enter their name in the grand prize drawing.

Laura Ritter said she has been participating in the Summer Reading Club since her daughter Shannon was 2 years old. Shannon, 9, has gone from listening to her parents read to reading chapter books. Her brother Jared, 6, has also progressed in the program from listening to reading silently on his own.

"It's become one of our regular summer projects," said Laura Ritter. "We've built a library with (the free books.) It really broadens their education."

Melinda Springer, mother of Garrett, 7, and Gregory, 5, said she appreciates the program because it gives her sons a stimulating pasttime.

"Our first year was last summer, and we joined because Garrett always loved books," she said. "Now he's reading on his own, and Gregory is really eager to read, too. I like it because when other kids are playing video games, they're reading books."

Summer Activities Schedule

Cape Girardeau Public Library

711 N. Clark

ToddlerTime

For 18 month to 2-year olds, with a caregiver

Mondays, 10-10:30 a.m.

June 8-July 27

Storytimes

For 3-, 4- and 5-year olds

Tuesdays 10-10:30 a.m.

Wednesdays 10-10:30 a.m.

June 9-July 29

Book Buddies

For 6-, 7- and 8-year olds

Tuesdays 11-11:30 a.m.

June 9-July 28

Games

Mondays, 1-2:30 p.m.

June 8-July 27

-- Register for Storytimes, ToddlerTime and Book Buddies at Youth Services or by calling (573) 334-5279. No registration required for games.

Tuesdays

FILMS, 1-2:30 p.m.

No registration required

June 9: Hercules (Disney) G

June 16: Shiloh (Warner Bros.) PG

June 23: Robin Hood (Disney) G

June 30: Man of the House (Disney) PG

July 7: The Little Mermaid (Disney) G

July 14: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (Disney) PG

July 21: Jungle 2 Jungle (Disney) PG

July 28: Flubber (Disney) PG

Wednesdays and Thursdays

CRAFTS, 1-2 p.m. (For grades kindergarten - sixth)

Register at Youth Services or by calling (573) 334-5279. Limit of four craft sessions for each child.

June 10-11: Totem pole

June 17-18: Wallpaper folk art

June 24-25: Japanese screen

July 1-2: Tibetan lantern

July 8-9: Plodding dinosaur

July 15-16: Worry doll and Navajo bracelet

July 22-23: Hot air balloon

July 29-30: Collage picture frame

Thursdays

PRESCHOOL CRAFTS, 10-10:30 a.m. (For ages 3-5)

Register at Youth Services or by calling (573) 334-5279. No crafts June 25 or July 9.

June 11: Alligator visor

June 18: Puzzle tree

July 2: Screen bookmark

July 16: Oriental lantern

July 23: Turtle

July 30: Toy alligator

Fridays

FANTASTIC FRIDAYS, time varies

No registration required

June 12: Horizon Players, performances at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

June 19: Humane Society/pets: How you and your buddies can survive the heat, 1-2 p.m.

June 26: SCA Medieval Faire, 1-2 p.m.

July 10: Dissecting sharks with Dr. Delgado, 1-2 p.m.

July 17: Fun and easy science experiments with Dr. Anderson, 1-2 p.m.

July 24: Tracy Welsh and Lestat, the Burmese Python, 1-2 p.m.

July 31: Kelly Presson, Magician, performances at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.